Vintage board game cover titled "Bargain Day" by Elizabeth Magie Phillips, depicting a bustling sale scene with shoppers and discount price tags in an early-to-mid 20th-century style illustration. The game is produced by Parker Brothers Inc., with locations in New York, Chicago, and London mentioned on the bottom.
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Bargain Day (1937)

ByMichail

Bargain Day

Bargain Day is a popular economic strategy board game designed by Sid Sackson and released in 1990 by Parker Brothers. The game simulates shopping at a department store, with players competing to purchase goods at the best prices.

Game Components of Bargain Day

  • Board: Illustrated with a department store layout, featuring a main floor and balcony, and a revolving door at the entrance.
  • Game Pieces: Player tokens and possibly other components representative of shopping items.
  • Money and Coupons: Used for transactions within the game.

    How To Setup Bargain Day

    To set up the game, players place their tokens at the entrance of the department store. The board is laid out to resemble a shopping environment, with various sections indicating different parts of the store. Each player receives a set amount of money and coupons to use during the game. The objective is to navigate through the store, making purchases and using coupons strategically.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Objective: Be the first player to spend all their money and leave the store.
  • Gameplay Mechanics:
    – Players roll dice to determine how many spaces they can move.
    – Players can make purchases using money and coupons.
    – Strategic use of coupons to maximize savings.
    – Interactions with other players may be limited, focusing more on individual shopping strategies.

    Player Experience

    Playing **Bargain Day** is a nostalgic experience that simulates a day of shopping in a classic department store. Players must balance their spending with the use of coupons, making it a game of strategic resource management. The game’s simplicity makes it accessible to a wide range of players, while the economic aspects add a layer of complexity.

    Pros

  • Simple yet Strategic: Easy to learn, but requires thoughtful gameplay.
  • Nostalgic Value: A piece of gaming history from the 1930s.
  • Family-Friendly: Suitable for players of various ages.
  • Collectible: Highly valued by vintage game collectors.

    Cons

  • Limited Interaction: Primarily a solo-focused experience with minimal player interaction.
  • Outdated Mechanics: May feel less engaging compared to modern board games.
  • Rarity: Hard to find, which can make it expensive for collectors.

    Personal Thoughts on Bargain Day

    **Bargain Day** is ideal for those who appreciate vintage board games and are interested in a unique economic simulation experience. It’s a great addition to any collector’s shelf and can provide a fun, if somewhat retro, gaming experience for families or individuals looking to explore the history of board games. However, it may not be as engaging for players seeking more complex or interactive modern games.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl